A leaked memo from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) indicates that the Trump administration is considering using the US military to bolster its mass deportation efforts, according to a new report. The memo, written by DHS senior adviser Phil Hegseth, brother of Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, was published by The New Republic on Saturday.
The document outlines a meeting between senior DHS and Pentagon officials on 21 June, and acknowledges that the deployment of troops in Los Angeles earlier this year was not "perfect". In June, President Donald Trump nationalised approximately 5,000 National Guard members and sent them to LA to push back against protesters demonstrating against Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids. An additional 700 US Marines were deployed to the city to quell what the administration described as a "violent insurrectionist mob".
The memo states that the US military leadership needs to feel "the urgency of the homeland defence mission" and understand "the political importance the administration has placed on this issue". It advises departments on three action items, including using the Pentagon's "nationwide operational planning capabilities".
Senior officials listed as participants in the meeting include Hegseth and acting ICE commissioner Todd Lyons. The memo suggests that similar operations to the LA deployment will be needed for "years to come". The Independent has contacted the Department of Homeland Security for comment.
